Eighty-five percent of Ontarians don’t smoke, yet there is a serious shortage of smoke-free rental properties in Ontario. This means there is a significant marketing advantage for landlords who are considering a no-smoking policy.
There is also significant value in offering a no-smoking policy as an amenity that appeals to the majority of non-smokers. Ontarians are health conscious consumers with concerns about exposure to second-hand smoke in their homes. That’s why 78% of all Ontario households do not allow smoking indoors.
Various surveys done both in Ontario as well as other provinces confirm that there is strong market demand for smoke-free housing.
Key points concerning market demand
Among renters:
- The majority of renters prefer smoke-free buildings;
- The majority of renters don’t smoke, and of those who do smoke, many are taking it outside;
- Approximately one-third of apartment and condominium dwellers are regularly exposed to unwanted second-hand smoke;
- Of renters exposed to second-hand smoke, the vast majority do not complain (many feel that nothing can be done).
Among Apartment Owners/Property Managers (in British Columbia):
- Four out of five say there is either a ‘very big’ or ‘some’ market demand for smoke-free housing;
- Nearly three quarters expect that the issue of smoke-free housing will become more important in the future;
Among Non-Profit Housing Providers (in British Columbia):
- One-quarter of public housing providers ban smoking in the entire building, including units and balconies;
- Over two in five are considering adopting a no-smoking policy in some or all of their units in the future;
- About three in five receive complaints about second-hand smoke on a monthly basis (20%) or less than a monthly basis (40%)